DEFIANT PIRATES GET FIRST POINT

Ray Bande in MUTARE

CHEGUTU Pirates have their FIRST point in the Castle Lager Premiership after a goalless draw against Manica Diamonds at Sakubva yesterday.

The poorest club in the league were full value of their point.

The home side were dominant but lacked the cutting edge to get the goal their possession warranted.

After finishing second last season, the Gem Boys are enduring a difficult start and are winless in three games.

They came close to scoring early in the 10th minute when Gift Bhero dribbled past Rodwell Mhlanga and released a fine cross that Kudzanai Dhemere failed to connect.

The Pirates had their chances, too, but they could not get the goal they desired.

Manica coach Jairos Tapera said:

“I think there are a number of positives that we can draw from our performance in this match.

“There was an improvement in our defence and with a bit of luck we could have won this match.

“However, I am happy that we managed to get a point and going forward we will build on the positives we noted.”

Pirates assistant coach, Godfrey Tamirepi, said:

“We are happy that we managed to get a point away from home. We desperately needed it.

“Remember we lost our opening two matches and this point is valuable, especially when you consider that we got it away from home against a formidable outfit like Manica Diamonds.”